Cross-border train ready to live longer and prosper

EUROPE: Translink NI Railways is undertaking a major refurbishment of the three locomotive-hauled trainsets used on the cross-border Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin. The first completed eight-car set re-entered service on November 16, and all are expected to return to service by the end of the year.

The Enterprise coaches were supplied by De Dietrich and entered service in 1997. The current refurbishment programme is intended to ensure long-term reliability for the next 10 years, and is being supported with £12·2m from the EU, and by Northern Ireland's Department of Regional Development and the Republic of Ireland's Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.

Internal changes include repainting, refitting the toilets and installing power sockets, new floor coverings from Ulster Carpets and energy-efficient Teknoware LED lighting. ProStyle is refurbishing the seats with new materials including leather. Passenger information and seat reservation systems are being supplied by Televic, with system integration by CAF which is supplying the new train management system. R2P is upgrading the saloon and forward-facing CCTV. The catering cars are also being redesigned.

Exterior changes include a new red, purple and grey livery and enhanced signage meeting EU standards.

The work is being carried out by Translink NI Railways at the York Road depot in Belfast, with fabrication of new interior components undertaken in-house and by Indicators International.

The EMD locomotives used on Enterprise services are being refurbished at Iarnród Éireann's Inchicore works in Dublin, with the scope including corrosion repairs, repainting, a cab refresh including new driver's seats and a new console which incorporates an interface to the train management system.

UK: Northern Ireland transport company Translink officially reopened the 54 km line between Coleraine and Londonderry on March 22, following an eight-month suspension of services while a £30m infrastructure renewal programme was undertaken.